Tea Party Congressman Kicks Reporters Out of Election Party Before Losing Primary

On Tuesday, Ted Cruz-endorsed Congressman Tim Huelskamp was defeated by challenger Roger Marshall in the primary race for Kansas’s first district, becoming one of the first sitting Tea Party representatives to lose to an establishment-backed Republican. Before that happened, though, Huelskamp told everyone to scram.

According to The Wichita Eagle, the Huelskamp campaign “asked all media to leave its election night watch party”—apparently after it became clear he was going to lose:

Campaign volunteer Steven Howe told members of the media that it is a private party, and that campaign staff will let reporters know when the congressman will be available.

Howe says it is “out of respect for the congressman until we know more.”

Not everyone, however, was having such a rough night.

Turns out Speaker Boehner is indeed enjoying Kansas primary night. Just received this from former staffer! pic.twitter.com/hIzmFt8hn0